Miami-Dade County Parks and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime announce the opening of the new Arcola Lakes Park Senior Center

This new development marks Miami-Dade Parks’ first recreational facility specifically built for seniors.

(MIAMI, July 24, 2014) —  The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime announce an upcoming dedication ceremony in celebration of the completion of the new Senior Center at Arcola Lakes Park, located at 1301 NW 83 St., Miami. This new development marks Miami-Dade County Parks’ first recreational facility specifically built for seniors. Senior residents of the Arcola Lakes community are invited to the park at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, for the dedication ceremony and a tour of the new facilities. 

The 14,220-square-foot Center features state-of-the-art recreational amenities designed for older adults and is completely ADA accessible. It will host activities for Miami-Dade County Parks’ free health and wellness program for adults, ages 55 and over, presented in conjunction with the Health Foundation of South Florida. 

The building features a covered passenger drop-off entrance; a lobby and reception area; an exhibits hallway with built-in display cases; entertainment rooms with flat screen televisions and table games; an arts and crafts room; a ceramics room with a Kiln; an exercise room furnished with fitness equipment; staff offices; a lifeguard and first-aid station; men’s and women’s restrooms with locker and shower facilities; a banquet-meeting hall that has a food warming kitchen; and a portable performance stage for special events. Outside there’s a heated therapeutic pool and whirlpool spa surrounded by 8,324-square-feet of deck space and a covered porch with lounge chairs. The grounds have native landscaping, walkways and lighted parking. 

“I am very proud of the Parks Department for developing this beautiful new senior center at Arcola Lakes Park,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Together with the Parks Department Miami-Dade County is developing affordable and accessible recreational opportunities that are enriching the lives of senior citizens in this community and helping them to live healthier lives.” 

“I have the distinct privilege to have the first senior center in the County park system in my District,” said Commissioner Monestime. “Arcola Lakes Park is an important part of the fabric of our community. So it is with special sense of honor that we open this recreational center for our elder residents to enjoy.” 

“Arcola Lakes Park is a very active neighborhood park, especially with adult residents who regularly participate in the park’s popular walking clubs, Tai Chi and Enhance Fitness exercise classes,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. “The new senior center provides the ideal space for additional healthy-lifestyle programs for active adults that support increased physical activity, better nutrition and access to vital healthy-aging resources.” 

The budget for this new park development totaled $5.6 million and was provided by the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program and the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Program. Miami-Dade County Parks completed the project in conjunction with consultant Indigo Service Corp. and Carivon Construction.   

The 19-acre Arcola Lakes Park also contains a recreation building, tennis, racquetball and handball courts, a playground, walking pathway, picnic shelters, and landscaped open space.  

For more information about programming at this park, visit www.miamidade.gov/parks or call (305) 836-5095. 

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department: 

Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors.  Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.  For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call (305) 755-7848.